PM SVANidhi
News-Restructuring of PM SVANidhi Scheme Approved.
- Scheme – PM Street Vendor’s Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi).
- Approval – Union Cabinet approved restructuring.
- Extension of Lending Period – Extended up to 31 March 2030 (earlier 31 Dec 2024).
- Financial Outlay – ₹7,332 crore approved.
- Loan Amounts –
- 1st tranche: ₹15,000 (earlier ₹10,000);
- 2nd tranche: ₹25,000 (earlier ₹20,000);
- 3rd tranche: ₹50,000 (unchanged).
- Digital Push – UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card after 2nd loan repayment; cashback up to ₹1,600 on retail & wholesale digital transactions.
- Coverage Expansion – From statutory towns to census towns and peri-urban areas.
- Beneficiaries – 1.15 crore vendors (including 50 lakh new vendors).
- Background – Scheme launched 1 June 2020 for street vendors affected by COVID-19.
Semi-Conductor
News-India Launches Major OSAT Facility For Semi-Conductor in Gujarat.
- Event – Inauguration of one of India’s first full-scale OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly & Test) Pilot Line Facilities.
- Location – Sanand, Gujarat.
- Inaugurated by – Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw & Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel.
- Developer – CG Semi (JV of CG Power, Japan’s Renesas Electronics & Thailand’s Stars Microelectronics).
- Investment – ₹7,600 crore ($870 million) over 5 years.
- Support – Backed by India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
- India’s Role – Aims to become both a production hub and a talent hub in the semiconductor sector.
Exercise Bright Star
News-India Sends 700 Troops for Exercise Bright Star 2025.
- Event – India to participate in Exercise Bright Star 2025.
- Venue – Egypt.
- Dates – 28 August to 10 September 2025.
- Participants – 700+ personnel from Armed Forces & HQ Integrated Defence Staff.
- About Exercise – Multilateral tri-service exercise, hosted by Egypt with the US since 1980.
- Significance – Among the largest tri-service multilateral exercises in the region.
National Sports Day
News-National Sports Day: 29 August.
- Occasion – National Sports Day celebrated on 29 August.
- Commemoration – Birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
- Significance – Highlights importance of sports and physical activities; honours Dhyan Chand’s legacy.
- Tribute – Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya paid floral tribute at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi.
- Fit India Movement – Dr. Mandaviya to lead Pan-India Sports Movement (till 31 Aug 2025).
- Establishment – National Sports Day started in 2012.
- Themes for 2025 –
- “Sport to Promote Peaceful Societies”
- “Ek Ghanta, Khel ke Maidan Main”
- About Major Dhyan Chand –
- ‘Hockey Wizard’, ‘The Magician’, born 29 Aug 1905, Prayagraj, UP.
- Achievements – 3-time Olympic gold medalist (1928, 1932, 1936).
- Recognition – Awarded Padma Bhushan in 1956.
World Lake Day
News-World Lake Day, 2025.
- Event – First-ever World Lake Day celebrated.
- Date – 27 August 2025.
- Established by – United Nations in 2024.
- Objective – Promote environmental conservation & sustainable development of lakes and reservoirs.
- Theme 2025 – “Lakes: the lifeblood of our planet”.
- About United Nations–
- Founded – 24 Oct 1945 (after WWII).
- Head Quarters – New York, USA (major offices in Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi).
- Members – 193.
- Founding Members – 51 (India included).
- Main Organs –
- General Assembly
- Security Council
- International Court of Justice
- Economic and Social Council
- Trusteeship Council (inactive), Secretariat.
MCQs
Q1. The lending period of PM SVANidhi scheme has been extended till?
a) 2027
b) 2028
c) 2029
d) 2030
Q2. India’s first full-scale OSAT Pilot Line Facility was inaugurated in which state?
a) Maharashtra
b) Gujarat
c) Karnataka
d) Tamil Nadu
Q3. Exercise Bright Star 2025 is being hosted by which country?
a) USA
b) France
c) Egypt
d) UAE
Q4. National Sports Day is celebrated in India on?
a) 27 August
b) 28 August
c) 29 August
d) 30 August
Q5. Who established World Lake Day in 2024?
a) UNESCO
b) UNEP
c) United Nations
d) World Bank